Separate Ways

To Mosby, Montana -- 51.4 miles, 12.0 mph, 1800 ft

For the first time in a year, our group of four split today and went our separate ways, Meg and Kylie and Dex and I. The forecast called for 25 mph winds for most of the day and Meg just couldn't take it any more. The plan was for her and Kylie to find a ride 125 miles west to Lewistown, but as we left at 6:50 a.m., that was still just a plan. As Meg and Kylie headed to the cafe and then the hotel to wait for word of a ride, Dex and I pedaled off, determined to face the elements just as it started to rain.

We knew the 51 miles to the Hill Trail Oasis B&B, would be challenging and that was certainly the case.  Our first target was Sand Springs, thirty miles down the road where there was hope for an indoor rest stop.

The sporadic rains hit us at least four times during the morning, including the last couple of miles along a much appreciated down slope into what qualifies as a town around here.  The market/post office/gas-station/restaurant was just off the highway.  In the blink of an eye, as we pulled off the pavement on onto the gravel driveway, the bike went out from under us, and we hit hard.  I was happy to hear Dex immediately concerned about me.  Fortunately, as it had just been raining, we had multiple layers on and I, at least, hit helmet, shoulder, knee and foot pretty much simultaneously.  Apparently, I hadn’t picked the best line off the road.  The good news was we were only going 10 to 15 mph and seemed to be fine other than a few scrapes, broken helmet visor, and a couple small holes in the panniers.

A little shaken, but ok

Inside, Sandy pointed us to a table and warmed up a burrito and breakfast sandwich for us.  As it was only a little after 11:00, we felt pretty good about our progress so far.  Twenty more miles would put us at our destination.  Around here, everyone knows everyone, so Sandy immediately knew that we would be staying with Delores outside of Mosby.  I explained that we were typically a group of four, but that Meg and Kylie were back in Jordan trying to get a ride. Sandy’s husband, Joe, immediately offered to drive back to Jordan, pick Meg and Kylie up, and transport them to the B&B where Dex and I were headed.  Meg was incredibly grateful to hear from us and totally good with the shorter sag, since she was still no closer to a ride to Lewistown than when we left.

Sandy and Amanda at the Sand Springs Store

Meg, Kylie, and Joe caught up with Dex and me about an hour farther up the road, as we were sloggin up a long incline and literally being blown over as the latest shower hit us with gale-force winds.

Good guy, Joe, loading up the yellow tandem

Still, Dex and I were determined to make it with only an hour and a half more to go.  The rain was short lived, and, as usual, we were elated to reach our destination, this time a mile and a half off the main highway up a dirt road, but it was beautiful.  After 500 miles across the plains of North Dakota and eastern Montana, we were once again, at least temporarily, in the land of trees!

At the Hill Ranch Oasis B&B, Delores; her daughter, Linda; son, Kevin; and daughter-in-law, Gaylan were fantastic. Their house, located on the 10,000 plus acre family ranch has, over the years, been turned into a B&B for hunters, bikers, and other travelers. Kevin generously took us all out to explore the property and see the Angus cows and sheep. Surprisingly, for me, the rule of the thumb is that a single cow requires 40 acres of land, or 8000 acres for 200 head! I had no idea. Because of the high quality grass in this area, only a small amount of hay is required during the winter. Once the cows reach 600 lbs, they're sold, at which point, they are typically hauled away to other states where they are fattened up with grain to 1200 lbs before slaughter. That's a lot of beef!

It was fun to see their working sheep dogs in action. Decades ago, the powerful poison, 1080, was used to kill the coyotes. However, once that was banned, sheep dogs became indispensable. With a pair of good dogs, the coyotes are rarely successful.

The other "dogs" on the property, a whole lot less desirable, are the prairie dogs. Randy and Matt, who were also staying at the B&B, came all the way from Washington state just to shoot the little, tunnel-dwelling varmints. I always thought they were kind of cute, but, for a rancher, there's nothing good about an animal digging holes in the cow pastures.

Fantastic dinner at the Hill Ranch Oasis B&B